9.

16

THE DISAPPOINTMENTS AND PLEASURES OF

A NEW JET ARRIVAL
Giora is wondering whats maid in Japan

THE JUNGLE BOOK

Reviewed after its already been Honest Trailerd

HIKING IN HYOGO: MT. SENGAMINE

Caitlin continues her liking for hiking

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge

PHOTO: DIANE KWOK

Rokko Pasture, Kobe

HYOGO
TIMES
STAFF

RORY KELLY Editor

DANA WARREN Online
JAPPY MOLINA Designer
TC ELEY PR

Editorial

September

A Tale of Discovery

New JETs

Review

10

Travel

12

The Refuge

16

September Calendar

22

CONTRIBUTORS
Rory Kelly | Jappy Molina | Rackle
Bea| Caitlin Frunks | Giora Moss|
Byron Lim | Mok Wan Kay|

All JETs in Hyogo are

encouraged to send in articles,
musings, photos, poetry, prose,
and any ideas to improve the
Hyogo Times for the betterment
of the Hyogo JET community.
Submit by the 15th of each
month to
hyogotimespublications@gmail.com

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Greetings!
Remember, remember the month of September- its when school
resumes. Yes, Im sure were all aware that were back to work this
month and Im sure were all thrilled about that prospect. If youre
new, it might be a shock to actually start classes; if youre old, it
might be a shock how exhausting classes can be.
At least in September it starts to get cooler, if only by inches. But by
October its generally agreed to be tolerable, so not that long to go. I
dont remember much of last September, I think because everything
was much of a muchness: a lot of self-introductions, being carted out
to various community events, feigning interest in those events and
then singing karaoke every second day because I needed the release.
Ill actually be heading home briefly later this month, so maybe this
year, September will prove slightly more memorable.
This is also my birthday month and this will be the first time in half a
decade Ive spent my birthday in the same place two years in a row.
Last year, I took a nenkyuu and went to an onsen when it was thirty
five degrees outside- this year, I think Ill just save the money and
still my head in a microwave.

SEPTEMBER

As a returning JET, it will be interesting to

see all my charges again- I change schools
in January, so its been nine months since
this particular crop of students have laid eyes
on me. Of course, the third years will be
gone and therell be some new eleven year
olds to make me feel old (seriously, Im more
than twice their age) but I find that most
flocks of students are exactly the same as
each other- wheat and chaff, muck and gold,
vinegar and mayonnaise.
In this months Hyogo times: Caitlin
continues her liking for hiking; Giora is
wondering whats maid in Japan; Byron
reminds us how it felt to be new; a chance
meeting on Awaji leads to juice and
friendship; The Jungle Book is reviewed after
its already been Honest Trailerd; a good old
fashioned library heist goes horribly wrong.

Once in a while in September, Japan has a series of

holidays known as Silver Week. Many employees are
able to have a consecutive 5-day holiday and make
use of this time to travel around Japan or go
overseas for a short break. This means flocks of
tourists at major tourism sites and crazy amounts
of traffic, be it on the trains, on buses or
expressways. Unfortunately for this year, we do not
have Silver Week, and the next one is only coming up
in 2026. However, this does not mean that we cannot
take short trips over the long weekend. 3 days would
be enough to take trips to places like Hiroshima or
Nagoya, why not take the time to plan a short trip
away?
September is also the start of autumn and fruits
are in abundance. Some notable fruits in season are
peaches (
), kyoho grapes (
) and pears (
). You might be able to go fruit picking at various
farms that would usually give you a time-limited
buffet of fruits (subject to availability, call up to
check). Farms tend to be less accessible, so go with
friends who drive or share a cab.
Or you could combine both ideas and plan a trip to
Okayama over the long weekends- the prefecture
famous for fruits, especially peaches! Looking
forward to September!

Kay

Something for everyone!

Rory, d chief

A Tale of

Discovery
Rackle Bea

47

FEATURES

FEATURES

THE
DISAPPOINTMENTS
AND PLEASURES
OF A
NEW JET
ARRIVAL
Giora Moss

PHOTO: DIANE KWOK

REVIEWS

10

The Feelings of Being in a

New Place

Why I applied for JET:

What Youre Most Looking Forward to in Japan:

Your Feelings on Orientation:

Your First Impressions of Your Town:

REVIEWS

REVIEWS

The Jungle Book,

So Good
They Made It Twice
Rory Kelly

10

REVIEW
REVIEWS

REVIEW
REVIEWS

11

Hiking in Hyogo:
Mt. Sengamine
Caitlin Frunks

14
19

TRAVEL
TRAVEL

TRAVEL
TRAVEL

15

THE OLD WOMAN OF AWAJI

Giora Moss

THE
REFUGE

16

ThE REFUGE

ThE REFUGE

17

18

ThE REFUGE

ThE REFUGE

19

THE CUCKOO CAMPUS CAPER

Rory Kelly

20

ThE REFUGE

ThE REFUGE

21